Stamp

The French were once one of the leading powers and explorers. Starting in the 18th until the 19th century, they expanded their ‘spheres of influences’ outside of the continent. But starting the 1960s, the territories began to reclaim their independence. The French influence may have waned in terms of administration, but its contribution to world arts and affairs persisted in many spheres, stamps and philately as well. The market is loaded with French stamps including mint inexpensive stamps that are accessible for all types of collectors and enthusiasts.

The streets of London are always filled with buses, cars and people busy with their daily transactions. The cityscape has changed through the years, with new and modern buildings and vehicles that continue to amaze both the visitors and London residents alike. But beneath the capital’s streets is a 6-mile tunnel that plays host to an almost-forgotten mode of transportation - the London Post Office Railway, or affectionately called the Mail Rail.

Postage stamps aren’t just items you place on envelopes so that these can be air-mailed to choice destinations and recipients. Stamps are also treasures that can be collected and used to tell a story or explain a country’s history. Take the case of the popular ‘Inverted Jenny’ stamp, also known as Jenny Invert and Upside Down Jenny. This is one stamp that tells a loaded story, a story that has been told and retold, each retelling adding to its charm and overall value. This stamp is now considered the most famous (and sought-after) stamp in American philately and for all the right reasons.

Carpatho-Ukraine was once part of the Hapsburg Empire, not under the control of Russia as some might think. This region that also includes Transcarpathia and Ruthenia was under the direct control of the Hapsburg Empire, and as such used stamps that were issued and used in Austria, Hungary and Czechoslovakia. Here’s a look at the popular stamp issues used in the area.

In 1941 Germany led by Adolf Hitler took control of Ukraine. At first the Germans were considered by some Western Ukrainians to have come to liberate Ukraine, but the bloody rule of Germany changed that perception soon enough and the locals turned against the German occupation. Though they took control of the region, the German forces did not initiate moves to tap into the people’s anger against the Stalin-led government.

There was a time when stamps printed and distributed in China were not highly regarded in the market. But in the last few decades, these stamps are starting to get attention thanks to increase in popularity. There are a number of reasons which can explain why these stamps are now must-haves among collectors. One reason can be found in the stamp values - the last few decades saw an increase in the overall value of the stamps in the area. The established collectors of the Hong Kong and China are believed to be responsible for the stamps’ renaissance.

For the longest time, stamp collectors and enthusiasts have thought up creative ways on how they can source and collect stamps for their collections. One such strategy involves the use of the philatelic cover, or an envelope loaded with stamps and address and sent using the postal delivery system with the objective to boost one’s collections. It was a common practice for stamp collectors to exchange mails among themselves in the hope of getting their hands on the treasured stamps.

Eastern Ukraine was a former territory of Russia before it gained its independence on January 22, 1918. But before the official declaration of independence, the region had already designed its own set of currency stamps, the five-value set perforated 11 ½, which were used in lieu of the usual coins due to the limited supply of metals required for the making of coins. The currency stamps carried some identifiable designs so that people could recognize what they were holding.

Some collectors may dismiss a parcel tag, but this parcel tag will surely get some tongues wagging, thanks to its record price at $5000. So would you pay attention and bid for this tag? Well, some are set to prepare for the scheduled frenzied bidding and will try to outsmart the rest to get this rare and important parcel tag.

The use of stamps in Iraq started centuries ahead of other regions and this was first run by Assyria. This was confirmed by the excavated cuneiform tablets and clay envelopes. But the formal operations of a postal service in the country happened in 1920 thanks to the British mandate given through the League of Nations. The first stamps were the definitive series that was introduced in the market in 1923 which included 12 stamps with eight different designs that tell the story of the country.